| By William Crum, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma CityMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News April 23--More visitors are staying in Oklahoma City hotels and motels, and the rates they pay are up. The payoff is a 9.4 percent increase in hotel/motel tax collections over this time a year ago, City Manager James Couch said in a report to the city council. Oklahoma City levies a 5.5 percent tax on hotel stays. Money collected goes primarily to promote tourism and conventions and to pay for State Fair Park improvements. Through the first three quarters of the fiscal year, Oklahoma City collected $9.4 million, up from $8.6 million in fiscal 2012. Hotels near downtown, in northwest Oklahoma City and around Will Rogers World Airport on the southwest side account for most of the taxes collected. Couch said occupancy rates are up 3 percent and room rates are up 6 percent, according to the Smith Travel Research Report. ------ ___ (c)2013 The Oklahoman Visit The Oklahoman at www.newsok.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |
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